College hopes to earn $5,000 matching donation during Give to the Max Day! Drive Nov. 13 through Dec. 19

Give to the Max Day! is Nov. 13 this year and Anoka Technical College hopes to raise $5,000 for student crisis grants which will then earn a matching donation of $5,000 for a total of $10,000 to support students.

From Nov. 13 through the end of the college semester Dec. 19, people are encouraged to help out.

Crisis grants are awarded to Anoka Tech students (and their dependents) with a documented financial crisis. Awards typically address basic needs that are not being met at the time of application and often take the form of a gift card for gas or groceries. On occasion grants are used to assist with rent or outstanding bills such as heat bills or car repairs. Turnaround time on these grants is in most cases less than 24 hours from the time of application.

"I enrolled in the Community Social Services program at Anoka Technical College because I have had a lot of help throughout my life and I felt that it was my turn to give back,” says student and Crisis Grant recipient, Gaynell [last name withheld for privacy]. “Then my 21-year-old daughter showed up on my doorstep, pregnant, scared and needing help, I couldn't turn her away. This pushed me beyond my resources. I was already tapping food shelves and although they are a life saver, there are some things they just don't cover. It was hard to approach the counselor about a crisis grant, but she was great and within a matter of hours the foundation gave me $200 in Cub Foods gift cards. Not only did this put food on the table and get us some household necessities, it enabled me to take a deep breath and to see things clearly. I knew that things would be o.k. and that I could once again focus on my studies."

At this time awards are limited to a cumulative $300 in a 12-month period. With a successful campaign however, the college hopes to increase the cumulative limit to $500 in a 12-month period. “It is gratifying to see how a student looks, thinks and acts once receiving one of these grants,” said Pete Gravett, Development Director, Anoka Technical College Foundation. “We all make better decisions about our education and our lives when we are no longer in crisis. We appreciate your consideration of a crisis grant donation. Let’s see if we can make our match on the first day—Give to the Max Day!”

Anoka Technical College student and Crisis Grant recipient, Gaynell [last name withheld for privacy] (shown) thanked the Anoka Technical College Foundation for the Crisis Grant: “Not only did this [the Crisis Grant] put food on the table and get us some household necessities, it enabled me to take a deep breath and to see things clearly. I knew that things would be o.k. and that I could once again focus on my studies."